2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the Southeastern Conference

<p>Though it may not get the attention it deserves at times, the <strong>Southeastern Conference </strong>has to be one of the more competitive leagues in the state of Michigan. The SEC Red alone is a really stacked league from top to bottom. Here’s a look at what the SEC will have to offer in the 2019 season.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>SEC Red Breakdown</strong></p> <p>A strong Red Division went to <strong>Temperance Bedford </strong>in 2018, as it bested a talented field. The Kicking Mules were able to then earn a district title before losing to Northville in the regional semifinal in four sets. Beford had a senior-heavy team in 2018, graduating seven seniors altogether with two that earned All-State HM honors and three that were All-Region picks. <strong>Alyssa Griner </strong>is a returning outside that will be a senior leader this year. She was also an All-Region honoree in 2018 and led the Mules in kills. They also return senior middle <strong>Carly Emerson</strong>, who had over 100 blocks and nearly 300 kills last year. Junior <strong>Kamryn Wolf </strong>was also productive at the net with 344 kills. Bedford graduated its setter and libero, but <strong>Caris Cross </strong>is a junior that can fill in at setter and keep the Mules’ attack rolling. Finding that steady presence in the back row will be more of a challenge.</p> <p><strong>Ann Arbor Skyline </strong>was second in the Red last season and the Eagles will hope to be the team to unseat the Mules this season. <strong>Kendall Murray </strong>(Michigan) is one of the top players in the state coming into her senior year and was Second Team All-State as a junior. She can play middle or outside and has tremendous power in her attacks. Murray put up an impressive 712 kills last year.  She will need some help this year and that help could come from her sister, freshman <strong>Harper Murray</strong>, who had a tremendous club year and earned national recognition. Skyline brings back setter <strong>Lauren Lee</strong> for her sophomore year and libero <strong>McKenna Pfeffer</strong> for her senior season.</p> <p><strong>Saline </strong>was a close third in the Red race last year, finishing just behind Skyline. The Hornets then suffered a five-set lose to Skyline in the district opener. Like Bedford, Saline graduated seven seniors from the 2018 squad, including both All-Region players that play the net. The Hornets will have to turn to a pair of juniors in <strong>Julia Blaney</strong> and <strong>Hannah Blaney</strong>. Julia is one of the top-returning hitters from last year’s team and also can play setter. Hannah is a promising libero that has made a lot of strides in the last year.</p> <p><strong>Monroe, Ann Arbor Huron </strong>and <strong>Ann Arbor Pioneer </strong>rounded out the bottom of the Red Division in 2018. Monroe had a relatively young roster with just two seniors, which could make them a dark horse this year. The same can be said for Huron, who didn’t graduate a single player and used three freshmen in 2018. Those there were hitters <strong>Mikayla Keefer</strong> and <strong>Cari Bohm</strong>, along with DS <strong>Avery Carlock</strong>. Pioneer had three seniors from a year ago, but returns eight juniors from that squad, so they should be a composed team.</p> <p>The SEC Red should be very entertaining this year with a lot of competitive league matches. All the teams could be competitive in other conferences. For the 2019 title, I like Bedford to come away again. The Kicking Mules lost a lot, but still have a lot of talent to work with this year. Their power at the net is very much there and they have a capable setter. Skyline and Saline will be strong contenders, but I think Bedford has the slight edge.</p> <p><strong>SEC Red Prediction: Temperance Bedford</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>SEC White Breakdown</strong></p> <p><strong>Dexter </strong>won the eight-team race in 2018, but the Dreadnaughts lost their big 1-2 punch at the net of Brooklyn Brown and Taylor Venuto. While their hitting will be young in 2019, Dexter does bring back a lot of defensive help this season. <strong>Chelsea </strong>placed second last year, but the Bulldogs will need to find that new go-to player as well after losing Madeleine Kennedy on the outside. <strong>Pinckney </strong>was third in the White last year, but graduated just three seniors. The Pirates have a nice foundation behind junior <strong>Sophia Oakes</strong>, an All-Region libero in 2018 that compiled over 100 aces last year. Pinckney has a lot of capable hitters back this year, as well as setter <strong>Taylor Kennard</strong>. The Pirates have a lot to be excited about.</p> <p><strong>Adrian </strong>finished fourth in the 2018 race but gradated eight seniors and has just two seniors on this year’s roster. That inexperience will make it tough for the Maples to climb up the ladder. <strong>Lincoln </strong>was right behind Adrian and had a nice mix of youth and experience in 2018. The Railsplitters had five combined freshmen and sophomores and come into this season with a senior leader in <strong>Logan Cofield </strong>at outside hitter. Cofield led the team in kills last year. <strong>Tecumseh, Jackson </strong>and <strong>Ypsilanti </strong>rounded out the division a year ago. All three could be a problem this season, but I don’t see them making a jump up to the very top.</p> <p>Pinckney was right on Chelsea’s heels last season and I like what the Pirates have back this season. The question is, will it be enough to get past Dexter? The Dreadnaughts will need to quickly adapt with new starting hitters and that could be a challenge. A strong back row can only take you so far if you can’t finish points. I am going to take a chance on Pinckney earning the championship this season.</p> <p><strong>SEC White Prediction: Pinckney</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>2019 MHSAA Season Preview Content</strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YSsP4E">Division 1 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2XOw6pk">Division 2 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2OakE2N">Division 3 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Z7rI15">Division 4 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Yhveow">OAA Conference Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YbDY4d">O-K Gold, Green and Blue Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Kjv8HQ">O-K Red, White, Black and Silver Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Yz0RxU">CHSL Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/31g9wTJ">CAAC Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2KrbPMP">KLAA Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2yIrsKj">Flint Metro League Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YQ00Jz">MAC Red, Gold and Silver Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YJMRlK">MAC White, Blue and Bronze Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2MhyP4k">Lakes Valley Conference Breakdown</a></p>